One-handed computer interface device

Abstract

The one-handed computer interface device is a computer input device that allows the user to input a full range of computer commands using only one hand. The one-handed computer interface device includes a housing having opposed upper and lower surfaces and at least one side surface. The upper surface of the housing is divided into a plurality of finger regions, with each finger region being adapted for receiving one of the user's fingers. Similarly, a thumb region is further defined on the at least one side surface, with the thumb region being adapted for receiving the user's thumb. A plurality of sets of finger tip sensors and a set of thumb tip sensors are respectively positioned within each finger region and the thumb region. In use, actuation of one of the finger tip and thumb tip sensors generates a command signal corresponding to actuation of a computer key.

1 . A one-handed computer interface device, comprising:
 a housing having opposed upper and lower surfaces and at least one side surface, the lower surface being adapted for positioning on a support surface, the upper surface being divided into a plurality of finger regions, each of the finger regions being adapted for receiving one of a user's fingers; and   a plurality of sets of finger tip sensors, each of the sets being positioned within a corresponding one of the finger regions, respectively;   wherein actuation of one of the sensors generates a command signal corresponding to actuation of a computer input.   
   
   
       2 . The one-handed computer interface device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a thumb region is defined on the at least one side surface, the thumb region being adapted for receiving the user's thumb. 
   
   
       3 . The one-handed computer interface device as recited in  claim 2 , further comprising a set of thumb tip sensors positioned within said thumb region. 
   
   
       4 . The one-handed computer interface device as recited in  claim 3 , wherein each said set of finger tip sensors and said set of thumb tip sensors includes a plurality of radially arrayed sensors and a central sensor. 
   
   
       5 . The one-handed computer interface device as recited in  claim 4 , wherein each of said finger regions and said thumb region include depressions for respectively receiving the user's fingers and the user's thumb. 
   
   
       6 . The one-handed computer interface device as recited in  claim 5 , further comprising a scrolling controller disposed in said housing. 
   
   
       7 . The one-handed computer interface device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said scrolling controller comprises a scroll wheel. 
   
   
       8 . The one-handed computer interface device as recited in  claim 6 , wherein indicia are formed on the upper surface and the at least one side surface adjacent the plurality of finger regions and the thumb region, the indicia indicating the corresponding computer input for each said finger tip and thumb tip sensor. 
   
   
       9 . A one-handed computer interface device, comprising:
 a housing having opposed upper and lower surfaces and at least one side surface, the lower surface being adapted for positioning on a support surface, the upper surface being divided into a plurality of finger regions, each of the finger regions being adapted for receiving one of a user's fingers, the housing having a thumb region defined on the at least one side surface, the thumb region being adapted for receiving the user's thumb; and   a plurality of sets of finger tip sensors and a set of thumb tip sensors, each of the sets of finger tip sensors being positioned within a corresponding one of the finger regions, respectively, the set of thumb tip sensors being positioned within the thumb region;   wherein actuation of one of the sensors generates a command signal corresponding to actuation of a computer input.   
   
   
       10 . The one-handed computer interface device as recited in  claim 9 , wherein each said set of finger tip sensors and said set of thumb tip sensors includes a plurality of radially arrayed sensors and a central sensor. 
   
   
       11 . The one-handed computer interface device as recited in  claim 10 , wherein each of said finger regions and said thumb region include depressions for receiving the user's fingers and the user's thumb, respectively. 
   
   
       12 . The one-handed computer interface device as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising a scrolling controller disposed in said housing. 
   
   
       13 . The one-handed computer interface device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said scrolling controller comprises a scroll wheel. 
   
   
       14 . The one-handed computer interface device as recited in  claim 12 , wherein indicia are formed on the upper surface and the at least one side surface adjacent the plurality of finger regions and the thumb region, the indicia indicating the corresponding computer input for each said finger tip and thumb tip sensor. 
   
   
       15 . The one-handed computer interface device as recited in  claim 14 , wherein each said set of radially arrayed sensors comprises eight sensors. 
   
   
       16 . A one-handed computer interface device, comprising:
 a housing having opposed upper and lower surfaces and at least one side surface, the lower surface being adapted for positioning on a support surface, the upper surface being divided into a plurality of finger regions, each of the finger regions being adapted for receiving one of a user's fingers, the housing having a thumb region defined on the at least one side surface, the thumb region being adapted for receiving the user's thumb; and   a plurality of sets of finger tip sensors and a set of thumb tip sensors, each of the finger tip sets being positioned within a corresponding one of the finger region, the set of thumb tip sensors being positioned within the thumb region, each of the sets of finger tip sensors and the set of thumb tip sensors including a plurality of radially arrayed sensors and a central sensor;   wherein actuation of one of the sensors generates a command signal corresponding to actuation of a computer input.   
   
   
       17 . The one-handed computer interface device as recited in  claim 16 , wherein each of said finger regions and said thumb region include depressions for respectively receiving the user's fingers and the user's thumb. 
   
   
       18 . The one-handed computer interface device as recited in  claim 17 , further comprising a scrolling controller. 
   
   
       19 . The one-handed computer interface device as recited in  claim 18 , wherein indicia are formed on the upper surface and the at least one side surface adjacent the plurality of finger regions and the thumb region, the indicia indicating the corresponding computer input for each said finger tip and thumb tip sensor. 
   
   
       20 . The one-handed computer interface device as recited in  claim 19 , wherein said set of thumb tip sensors corresponds to computer function keys.